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Student-Athlete Profile: David Stillerman '14

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Why did you choose Carleton?

I knew I wanted to play baseball in college, and Carleton provided a great mix of academics and athletics. Baseball is a big commitment and I dedicate a lot of my time to it, but Carleton also gives athletes the opportunity to experience other important aspects of college life, like studying abroad.

What have been some of the differences between college and high school sports?

The biggest difference between high school and college is the level of team camaraderie. In college, you’re around your teammates almost 24 hours a day, and the bonds that develop because of that are different than what you see in high school. On the field, the pace of the game is faster. College teams are made up of only the most dedicated and talented high school players, and this makes for a faster pace and higher level of play.

How do you balance academics, sports, and other activities?

Time management is a really important skill. Baseball and academics both take up a big chunk of time, but there’s still space to fit in other activities. I have a campus job, have had a radio show on KRLX, the campus station, and also take part in a number of different IM sports. At times the academics can be strenuous, but I think it’s important to keep a nice balance between studies, baseball, and everything else. As long as you stay on top of your work and spread major assignments over longer periods of time, there shouldn’t be any problems maintaining this balance.

What is a regular day like for you during your season?

During the season, I’m in class or studying most of the morning and early afternoon. In the winter months, our practices start at 6 o’clock, so the whole team gets dinner right when the dining hall opens. After practice, I usually head back to the library if I have any work to finish up. Once we start having games, the schedule becomes more variable. On game days, we’re on the field for most of the afternoon, so we have to find any available time to get our work done.

What are some of your team’s traditions?

We developed one of our more noticeable traditions last year. Whenever someone on the team hits a double, everyone in the dugout shoots arrows at him, and he shoots them back. We also take part in National Bear Hug a Cactus Day, which has become a staple of our trip to Arizona.

What are some of your favorite moments from playing baseball at Carleton?

Some of my favorite moments have come from our yearly spring trip. This past season, we won four of our last five games in Arizona and scored more than ten runs in all of the wins. Two years ago, we beat a nationally ranked Carthage team in our last game of the trip, and that was a nice send-off for the bus ride back to Minnesota.

What is your favorite thing about Carleton?

I really enjoy the collaborative environment at Carleton, both in the classroom and on the field. Students and professors work closely together, and most everyone is willing to give extra help. Everyone wants to see you succeed, both academically and athletically.

What would you say to a high school student-athlete considering Carleton?

Even though our season may be a little shorter than schools further south, there’s a lot of good baseball played in Minnesota. Don’t be turned away by the weather – it builds character.